She said that in addition to eyelid retraction, symptoms of the condition, which is caused by an overactive thyroid, can include weight loss and anxiety. The talk show host has lost 50 pounds in recent years, but Williams said she had intended to lose the weight -- "50 for 50 (years old)."

"No, I'm not nervous," Williams said, speaking about the other common symptom of Graves' disease. "Anxiety? Please. I'm over 30 years in this game."

"Now I can cop to irritability," Williams continued, maintaining her sense of humor. "Oh, please. I will snap your head off."

But Williams said she has demonstrated other symptoms of Graves' disease, like sleeplessness (she had been taking melatonin for that), rapid heartbeat, trouble with swallowing and heat intolerance.

Williams, who urged women to put their health first, said she had postponed the doctor appointment in December because of a business meeting and had been distracted lately by her son's college admissions process and other daily concerns. She mused she would likely return to the show after two weeks instead of three.